The first wish is done mostly in disbelief, sort of as a joke. Mr. White holds the paw up...

as his son, with a solemn face, somewhat marred by a wink at his mother, sat down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords."I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly.A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted...

One more thing about the wishes, actually, three more things:

The first wish is done mostly in disbelief, sort of as a joke. Mr. White holds the paw up...

as his son, with a solemn face, somewhat marred by a wink at his mother, sat down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords.

"I wish for two hundred pounds," said the old man distinctly.

A fine crash from the piano greeted the words, interrupted by a shuddering cry from the old man. His wife and son ran toward him.

"It moved," he cried, with a glance of disgust at the object as it lay on the floor.

"As I wished, it twisted in my hand like a snake."

The second wish, to have The Whites' mangled, dead son alive again is made in sadness and desperation:

"Wish!" she cried, in a strong voice.

"It is foolish and wicked," he faltered.

"Wish!" repeated his wife.

He raised his hand. "I wish my son alive again."

The talisman fell to the floor, and he regarded it fearfully.

The final wish, to have Harold dead again, is done in terror and dread:

He heard the creaking of the bolt as it came slowly back, and at the same moment he found the monkey's paw, and frantically breathed his third and last wish.